Multi-purpose lignin-carbohydrate binding system

Abstract

A granule includes (i) particles comprising an active agent and (ii) a binding agent comprising a lignosulfonate and a mixture of polyols. A ratio of lignosulfonate to the mixture of polyols is in the range of 1.5:1 to 16:1. The mixture of polyols may include monosaccharides, disaccharides, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, or combinations thereof. The active agent may be an agriculturally active agent, a pharmaceutically active agent, or a food product. The granule may have a sphericity of at least 85%.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A granule comprising (i) particles comprising an active agent and (ii) a binding agent comprising a lignosulfonate and a mixture of polyols,
 wherein the ratio of lignosulfonate to the mixture of polyols is in the range of 1.5:1 to 16:1; wherein the mixture of polyols is monosaccharides, disaccharides, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, or combinations thereof;   wherein the active agent is an agriculturally active agent, a pharmaceutically active agent, or a food product, and   wherein the granule has a sphericity of at least 85%.   
     
     
         2 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein said ratio of lignosulfonate to the mixture of polyols is 5:1 to 20:1 when the solubility of the particle is 10 g/100 ml in water at 20° C. or in a ratio of 1.5 to 4:1 when the solubility of the particle is 0.3 g/100 ml in water at 20° C. 
     
     
         3 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent includes fertilizers, micronutrients, pesticides, seeds, granulated food, pharmaceutical materials, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of polyols comprises 10-20% by weight of the lignosulfonate. 
     
     
         5 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture of polyols comprises an amount of up to 15% monosaccharides, an amount of up to 20% disaccharides, and at least an amount up to 50% hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. 
     
     
         6 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the agriculturally active agent is a fertilizer. 
     
     
         7 . The granule of  claim 1 , further comprising a bulk density material. 
     
     
         8 . The granule of  claim 1 , having an aspect ratio of greater than 0.78 and a crush resistance of at least or exceeding 2.0 lbs force. 
     
     
         9 . A binding formulation comprising a lignosulfonate, a mixture of polyols in a ratio sufficient to form the crush resistant and/or substantially spherical granule of  claim 1 , and a fertilizer wherein the fertilizer comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, or combinations thereof;
 wherein said micronutrients include calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, chloride, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, or combinations thereof;   wherein the mixture of polyols is monosaccharides, disaccharides, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, or combinations thereof;   wherein the ratio of lignosulfonate to the mixture of polyols is in the range of 1.5:1 to 16:1; wherein the crush resistance of the granule is capable of withstanding at least 2.0 lbs/force; and   wherein the granule has a sphericity of at least 85%.   
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein said lignosulfonate comprises calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, ammonium lignosulfonate, magnesium lignosulfonate, aluminum lignosulfonate, chromium lignosulfonate, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the mixture of polyols comprises at least 10-20% of the dry weight of the lignosulfonate. 
     
     
         12 . A method of making spherical and crush resistant granules comprising admixing:
 a. a particle;   b. a lignosulfonate; and   c. a mixture of polyols;   wherein the lignosulfonate and the mixture of polyols are present in a ratio of 1.5:1 to 16:1, wherein each particle is at least 85% spherical, has an aspect ratio of 0.78, and is crush resistant at 2.0 lbs/force;   wherein the particle includes fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, micronutrients, seeds, soil conditioners, inert carriers, plant growth hormones, plant growth regulators, soil moisture enhancers, seeds, and wetting agents or combinations thereof; and   wherein the lignosulfonate includes calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, ammonium lignosulfonate, magnesium lignosulfonate, aluminum lignosulfonate, chromium lignosulfonate or combinations thereof;   wherein the mixture of polyols is monosaccharides, disaccharides, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, or combinations thereof; and   wherein the lignosulfonate and mixture of polyols is premixed into a binder solution.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising adding a seed, wherein the seed includes grass, vegetable, flowers, grains, or combinations thereof.